How Long Does a First Aid Certificate Last in Australia?

Two questions come up more often than any others once people have finished a course. How long am I certified for, and do I really need to come back every year for CPR? The short answer is that Provide First Aid is generally recognised for three years, while CPR is recommended for renewal every twelve months.

Why CPR has a shorter recommended interval

Research into skill retention consistently shows that resuscitation technique degrades within months rather than years. People forget the compression depth, let the rate drift, and lose confidence in the sequence. The Australian Resuscitation Council therefore recommends annual CPR renewal, and most employers, insurers and industry bodies have built that expectation into their own requirements.

What each unit covers

• HLTAID009 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation takes about ninety minutes and is the unit most people refresh each year
• HLTAID011 Provide First Aid takes about three hours, includes the CPR unit within it, and adds bleeding, burns, fractures, allergic reactions and more
• HLTAID012 Provide First Aid in an Education and Care Setting takes about three and a half hours and adds the paediatric content required in childcare and school settings

Statements of attainment do not technically expire

This point confuses a lot of people. A nationally recognised statement of attainment records that you completed a unit on a particular date, and that record does not expire. What has a currency period is the expectation set by regulators, employers and insurers, who will generally want to see first aid training completed within the last three years and CPR within the last twelve months.

Renewing is quicker than starting again

A CPR refresher is the same ninety minute session as the original unit. You complete a short online component beforehand, attend the practical, demonstrate competency on the manikins and receive your certificate the same day. If it has been a while and you are not sure which unit you need, our FAQ page explains the differences, or you can check upcoming dates and book online.